sponsored by Reprinted June 2015 Historic West Chester Then & Now

Transcription

1 Special SUPPLEMENT sponsored by Reprinted June 2015 Historic West Chester Then & Now

2 Special SUPPLEMENT Story by Malcolm Johnstone Photos by Timlyn Vaughan R ichard Moe, former president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said it best: West Chester is a real, living, dynamic town that appreciates and capitalizes on its rich past, while keeping a watchful eye on the future. His words could not be more true. West Chester is meeting the challenge of growth Chester County is the fastest growing county in the region and through its attention to preservation continues to maintain the historic fabric of southeast Pennsylvania. To maintain these structures, adaptive reuse is a must. What was once a factory has become loft apartments; the armory is scheduled to become a theater; and a theater has become a hotel. Things change, yet some things remain the same, with elements of the past embedded in the old walls. Each of the historic buildings in West Chester has a story and many have a series of stories. Some, like the 1833 Lincoln Building on Market Street at Wilmot Mews, shares part of our national history. Others, like the 1789 Darlington Building on North High Street, reflect the opportunities of the early settlers. Each story is different, each contributed to who we are today, and to what makes West Chester well, West Chester. For Whom the Bell Tolls Glance at most of the historic structures downtown and you can not only see how West Chester looked 150 years ago, but also how it sounded. Every hour, the bell at the historic County Courthouse rings as it did when first rang on September 3, The original clock tower sat on the first courthouse that opened in In 1846, what s now the historic courthouse replaced the original and the clock tower was made taller and placed in its current location. The original bell is inscribed Cast by J. Willbank, Philadelphia, It still rings as it did on its first day. John Hall, a local watchmaker, was the first clock caretaker and served in that capacity until It took him 45-minutes to wind the eight-day movement. Today, electric motors and movements installed in the 1950 s have replaced the original mechanisms. Banking on History Known as the Old Chester County Bank Building, and now home to Wells Fargo Bank on North High Street, the Greek Revival architecture of this 1838 Thomas U. Walter structure defined West Chester as the Athens of the West. Inscribed into the portico is Thomas U. Walter, Architect. This insures that there remains no doubt who designed such a grand building. The massive chandelier anchors the lobby with its glass globe symbolically presenting the world to all who enter. COVER: above: Historic Chester County Courthouse, High & Market Streets; below: First block of North High Street. THIS PAGE: from top: Old Chester County Bank Building, 17 North High St; Tiffany-style Chandelier aerial view, North High St. 2 County Lines June 2015 CountyLinesMagazine.com

3 Farmers & Mechanics Building 1910 and today (right) Warner Theatre1930 (left) and today View of F&M Building from Courtroom One Aerial view of the Hotel Warner West Chester s Skyscraper The most striking feature of the Farmers & Mechanics (F&M) Building is that it s West Chester s first and only skyscraper. Located at High and Market Street, the six-story structure was designed by William C. Prichett and completed in At a height of 90-feet, the Beaux Arts-style building remains the tallest commercial structure downtown. The neoclassical exterior is faced with Indiana limestone and yellow hard-face brick with decorative terra cotta details. Recently purchased by Myles Development Company, the F&M Building is slated for adaptive reuse with plans for a 40- room luxury hotel. A restaurant will be located on the first floor and mezzanine, while the roof deck will feature a swimming pool with tapas-style dining and a great view of the town. A Bit of Art Nouveau In the 1920s, Hollywood movie studios began building giant single-screen auditoriums featuring plush décor and the newest movie technology, all to the delight of America s audiences. West Chester was selected by Warner Bros. Pictures as the location for an opulent 1,600-seat regional theater. The Warner Theatre opened in 1930 at 120 North High Street, replacing a horse stable and corral that had previously occupied the space. Everything about it was new, including its Art Deco design. The developer, the Stanley Company of America, along with the architect firm Rapp & Rapp of Chicago, eventually designed more than 400 such theaters throughout the country. By the 1980s, the Warner Theatre could no longer compete with new trends and was demolished in 1986 to become a parking lot. But the original façade was preserved and what had been the theater lobby is now the lobby of The Hotel Warner. The staircase leading to the second floor still remains in all its original elegance. The 80 rooms of the new hotel are where the theatre auditorium once was. Local developer and owner Brian McFadden worked with Bernardon Haber Holloway Architects of Kennett Square to design the hotel and insured the architecture of the new wing complements the historic design. Historic West Chester Then and Now 3

4 Special SUPPLEMENT West Chester Public Library circa 1900 (top) and today Photos above: Details from the 2005 library renovation West Chester Public Library Although West Chester s first Library Company was formed in 1815, it wasn t until 1872 that the West Chester Public Library was established and eventually found a permanent home at 415 North Church Street. The Queen Anne style structure, constructed in 1888, was designed by T. Roney Williamson and features a tower accented by copper making it one of West Chester s most impressive public buildings. Of special note are five windows of Tiffany-style glass. Three windows illustrate quotes by Bayard Taylor ( ), a nationally known author from Chester County. In 2005, a $2.3-million renovation of the library was completed under the guidance of the architectural firm Frens & Frens, doubling the usable space while preserving the historic features. 4 Historic West Chester / Then and Now

5 Reprinted June 2015 Marshal Square Park Monument to 97th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment in 1890 (left) and today Site of Marshall Square Park fountain in 1920s (top) and today. Images of Everhart Park circa 1900 Blossoming trees in Everhart Park Historic Parks Inspired by Washington Square Park in Philadelphia, Marshall Square Park (at Marshall and Matlack Streets) was first developed as an arboretum for botanical research to provide suitable walks and introducing various ornamental trees and shrubbery. In 1878 it became a public park, predating New York City s Central Park by nine years. It s named after Humphrey Marshall, a local farmer who was one of America s first true botanists. When the Civil War ended, plans began to erect a 50-foot tall monument honoring West Chester s 97th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment. It took 23 years to fund and complete, but the monument now occupies the highest point in the Borough at the southwest corner of the park. Supported by Friends of Marshall Square Park with oversight by West Chester Parks & Recreation, the park hosts events throughout the year. Everhart Park (at Bradford Avenue and West Miner Street) was donated to the Borough of West Chester in 1905 by Dr. Isaiah Everhart. It provides a dog run (dogs must be leashed and curbed), children s playground, walking paths, picnic areas and public events. Everhart Park was the scene of the great American artist Horace Pippin s last work, a painting of a red bench. There is an actual red bench in the park that s maintained by Friends of Everhart Park with oversight by West Chester Parks & Recreation. The painting, Man on a Bench, is on exhibit at the Brandywine River Museum, The Way I See It, through July 19. The Red Bench in Everhart Park. Horace Pippin painting, on exhibit at the Brandywine River Museum. Historic West Chester / Then and Now 5

6 Best Summer Events in West Chester Thursdays, June 4 September 3 Swingin Summer Thursdays. Great food, live music, clowns, artists, magicians, jugglers & more. June 4, TBA; July 2, Nxt 2 Normal and Phyllis Chapell & Siora; Aug. 6, Those People and The Mighty Manatees; Sept. 3, Dirk Quinn and Dirty People. Gay St. between High & Darlington or High & Matlack. 6:30 to 9: ; DowntownWestChester.com. June 5, Sept. 4, Oct. 2 Vintage Garage Sale. Live music, food, wine tastings and vintage home goods, clothing, jewelry, art and more for sale. Parking Garage, 14 E. Chestnut St ; AVintageGarageSale.com. June 6 West Chester s 13th Annual Up On the Roof. See Of Special Note in this issue. June 6 West Chester Spring Flea Market & Bike Sale. West Chester Municipal Bldg., 401 E. Gay St., West Chester. 9 to ; WestChester.com. June 7 Super Sunday. A huge street festival with kid s crafts, games, rides, food vendors, live bands and artisans. Gay St., from Matlack to Darlington Sts.; High St. from Chestnut to Market Sts. 11 to ; West-Chester.com. June 11, June 18, July 9, July 16 Uptown! Entertainment Presents Films: June 11, Elvis Presley double feature, Viva Las Vegas at 6:30, Jailhouse Rock at 8. July 9, Independence Day, 7 pm. Doors open at 6. Donation suggested. Jazz Cocktail Hour: June 18, Drew Nugent & The Midnight Society; July 16, The Larry McKenna Quartet. Doors open at 6; concert 6:30. $15. Ballroom at the Westside, 430 Hannum Ave., West Chester. UptownWestChester.org. June 11 August 20 Town Tours & Village Walks. Mark your calendars for the 20th summer of sharing Chester County s heritage. Free summer strolls take you through the County s historic neighborhoods, hamlets, villages and sites. June 11, West Chester Kick- Off and Tour. ChesCo.org/Planning/TownTours. See Events in this issue for more. June 18, July 16, August 20 Music at Marshall Square Park. Come to the gazebo in Marshall Square Park for these picnic concerts. Visit the website for performers. 248 E. Marshall St. 6:30 pm. Free ; MarshallSquarePark.org. June 21 Fatherfest at the American Helicopter Museum. Bring Dad to the museum for the antique car and motorcycle show, remote control drone air show and helicopter ride American Blvd. 11 to 3. $10; helicopter rides, $ ; American Helicopter.Museum/Events. June 20 Annual Trial Run, 5K Run/Walk. Enjoy a scenic, shaded, fast course through the Borough. Cash prizes for top finishers. Benefits Legal Aid of SE Pennsylvania. Registration 7:30 am. Run and walk, 8. $8 $10. TrialRun5K.com. June 28 17th Annual Chester County Challenge For Cancer Bike Tours. Premiere bike ride in Chester County. 63-, 50- and 25-mile noncompetitive rides, 10- and 5-mile family rides benefit The Cancer Program at the Hospital and Neighborhood Hospice. Begins at Fern Hill Med. Office Bldg., 915 Old Fern Hill Rd. Reg. 7:30 am. $45 $ ; CCCRide.com. June 14 Chester County Hospital Polo Cup. See Of Special Note in this issue. June 14 August 23 West Goshen Summer Concerts. West Goshen Comm. Park, N. Five Points & Fern Hill Rds. 6:30 pm ; WGoshen.org. See Events in this issue for more. July 10 Free Theatre in the Parks. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket, sit back and enjoy Commonwealth Classic Theatre Company s The Tempest. Everhart Park, 100 S. Brandywine St. 7 pm. Commonwealth- ClassicTheatre.org. July 19 33rd Annual Turk s Head Music Festival. Great bands, lots of crafters, children s activities and food vendors. Everhart Park, 100 S. Brandywine St. Noon to 8 pm. Rain date, July ; TurksHead- Festival.com. July 27 August 1 Goshen Country Fair. An old-fashioned fair with agricultural exhibits, rides and entertainment. Benefits the volunteer Goshen Fire Company. Gates open 6 pm. Fair Grounds, Park Ave., off West Chester Pk ; GoshenCountryFair.org. August 5 3rd Annual National Night Out Against Crime. West Chester Borough Police Department invites families to enjoy live entertainment, free refreshments, kid s activities, police displays, fire and EMS vehicles and a meet-and-greet with local responders. West Chester Municipal Bldg., 401 E. Gay St., West Chester. 6 to 9. August 8 Iron Hill Twilight Criterium. Pro bike racing and family fun in downtown West Chester. Plus a Kid s Zone, Mile Dash, bungee jumping, community festival, great food. Begins at 4 pm. IronHill- TwilightCriterium.com. August 16 Touch A Truck Day. See different models of cars and trucks dump trucks, cement mixers, fire trucks, new cars and everything in between. Chester County Gov. Services Complex, 601 Westtown Rd. Noon to 4 pm. Parking $ ; West- Chester.com. September 20 Chester County Restaurant Festival. Great food, a beer and wine garden, live entertainment and vendors. Held on Gay and Market Sts. The beer and wine garden is located on Gay & Church Sts. Noon to 5. Raindate, Sept ; West-Chester.com. 6 Historic West Chester Then and Now

7 Special SUPPLEMENT A Little More of Then and a Lot More for Now For Then: If your interest has been piqued by Malcolm Johnstone s profile of five grand historic buildings and two must-visit parks, then you ll want to check out the DowntownWestChester.com website and blogs to soak up more local history. Here s a sample. You ll read about the 1712 Dower House, a stone house on Goshen Road and the oldest continuously occupied. Or maybe you ll want to learn more of the history of the first tavern, approved in 1762, and how The Turks Head lent its name to the early settlement that became West Chester. Perhaps you d like to visit famed architect Thomas U. Walter s last addition to West Chester in 1848, Horticultural Hall (now part of The Chester County Historical Society and also worth a visit). You can combine a visit to the Lincoln Building to see where the first biography of Abraham Lincoln was published in 1860, helping launch his career, and enjoy a spot of tea at The Lincoln Room. A visit to the West Chester University is worth including in your history hunt. Founded as a State Normal School in 1871, WCU is where abolitionist Frederick Douglass made his last speech in A bronze statue of Douglass was dedicated in 2013 in his honor. For Now: All that history is bound to make you work up an appetite, and there s no place better than Downtown West Chester to find just the right restaurant to satisfy every taste. We hope the Restaurant Guide will lead you to a great meal. For more of what s happening now, check out our Events page Restaurant Guide 4 3 To Los Sabores To Gramm s Kitchen - 2 To High Street Caffé - 45 Restaurant Guide 1. Los Sabores 2. Gramm s Kitchen 3. Roots Cafe 4. Doc Magrogan s oyster House 5. Social Lounge & Bar 6. Sprout Music Collective 7. Three Little Pigs 8. Iron Hill Brewery & restaurant 9. Buddy s Burgers, Breasts and Fries 10. Smoked Tex-Mex 11. The Couch Tomato Café 12. La Mamba 13. Kooma 14. Saloon 151* 15. Star of India 16. i-pasta 17. Avalon 18. DeStarr s 19. Teca 20. Classic Diner 21. Side Bar & Restaurant 22. Lorenzo & Sons Pizza* 23. Baco Juice & Taco Bar 24. Kildare s Irish Pub 25. Penn s Table 26. Ryan s Pub & Restaurant 27. Olive Branch Rest. 28. Jitter s Sports Bar 29. The Mediterranean 30. Landmark Americana 31. Bob Bon Sushi 32. Nudy s Café 33. Mumbai Bistro 34. Pietro s Prime 35. Limoncello 36. Boxcar Brewery 37. Más Mexicali Cantina 38. Rams Head Bar & Grill 39. Barnaby s 40. RapiDOUGH* 41. Market Street Grill 42. Tsunami 43. The Lincoln Room 44. Mercato Ristorante & Bar 45. High Street Caffé * Opening Soon With deep roots in Chester County, Benchmark Federal Credit Union marks its 75th anniversary. Founded in 1940 for employees of John Wyeth & Brothers, Inc. (later Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer), today this not-for-profit financial cooperative serves anyone who lives, worships, works, or attends school in Chester County, Pennsylvania. One thing that hasn t changed in our 75-year history is our core value of putting members first, says David LaSala, President and CEO. We ve been building lifelong relationships, and our sole focus is to support and improve our members economic well-being throughout their lives. We re proud to sponsor this special supplement. Historic West Chester Then and Now 7